Volunteer Opportunities

Jump to:     Individual Volunteers      Working with Children     Suited for Success Volunteers     Employment and Training Volunteers      Racial Justice Volunteers 

There are many different ways to volunteer at the YWCA If you like to… Work with children Tutor children or adults Help women select clothes for an up coming interview Use your interpreting skills Share your computer knowledge Facilitate racial justice dialogues

The YWCA believes everyone has something to contribute and receive from participation within the YWCA community.

The YWCA has volunteer opportunities for individuals.  No matter how you would like to volunteer the first step in becoming a YWCA volunteer is to fill out an application. 

Apply to Volunteer

You can download an application in English or an application in Spanish or you can come to the YWCA and pick up an application at 101 E. Mifflin Street.

Once you have an application you will need to complete all the information, sign and mail your application to:

Samantha River-Volunteer Coordinator
YWCA
101 E. Mifflin St.
Madison, WI 53703

or you can drop your application off at the front desk at this same address.  After we receive your application, we will contact you to schedule a time to talk about your volunteer interests. 

If you have any questions or would like further information please contact: Samantha River at (608) 257-1436.

Working with Children

Shelter Kids' Programs

The YWCA provides emergency shelter to homeless families with children and homeless teenage girls.  The YWCA houses up to 40 people in private shelter rooms, with shared kitchens.  A YWCA case manager works with each family to help them find housing and to prevent future episodes of homelessness.

A variety of educational and recreational programs are offered to children in our homeless shelter who are over the age of four.  Volunteers facilitate activities and supervise the children during the following programs:

• Mondays - "Cooking" - 6:00-7:30 p.m.
• Tuesdays - "Reading Time" - 6:00-7:00 p.m.
• Wednesdays - "Arts & Crafts" - 6:00-7:30 p.m.
• Thursdays - "Fun With Science" - 6:00-7:30 p.m.
• Fridays - "Games Night" - 6:00-7:30 p.m.
• Saturdays - "Saturday Out" - 1:00-3:00 p.m.
• Sundays -"Sunday Funday"- 1:00-3:00 p.m.
• Special Monthly Parties - Times Vary

Third Street Housing Program

Third Street is a neighborhood located on the 3rd and 4th floors at the downtown YWCA. The program serves single moms with one child, birth to four years old  by providing safe affordable apartments with support services.

While in Third Street, families are able to pursue their goals, parent their children in a stable environment, build a positive housing history and engage in their neighborhood and community. Third Street strives to end the cycles of homelessness and abuse by providing a place for young families to thrive and work toward becoming economically self-sufficient.

3rd Street Playspace Activities Leaders

3rd Street volunteers provide interact with and supervise preschool aged children in the playroom in for a few hours in the evenings.

Suited for Success

Suited for Success provides professional-styled clothing, shoes and accessories to women who need appropriate wardrobes in order to return to work or for job interviews.

YWCA Employment and Training Annex

YWCA Employment and Training Annex Volunteers work with people to become full participants in the economy of our community through job training, and support for finding, changing or maintaining a job.

Volunteers can…

• Tutor adults in reading and math skills
• Assist with staffing the front desk

Racial Justice Volunteers

There are many ways to get involved in racial justice work.

• BECOME A VOLUNTEER FACILITATOR
  Facilitators should be comfortable with conversations about race and guiding small group discussions in both public and private forums. Facilitators participate in trainings and must be able to facilitate at least two dialogues. The total commitment should be at least one year.
• HOST A DIALOGUE
  The YWCA provides the host with a team of facilitators and a timeline for organizing the event. The host's responsibilities include inviting the guests and providing the meal during which there will be a discussion of race issues in your community.